With Trunks & Kari:
It was kind of a late start for Trunks and Kari; she didn't want to get up.
"Kari—I hate being stern with you, but it's time to wake up. This is the forth time I've tried to wake you. Now, it's time to get up and moving." Trunks sternly told Kari, lifting her out of bed.
"Yes, Daddy." Kari softly replied, rubbing her eyes.
"I know—but I have to go to work. You know how Grandpa gets." Trunks told Kari, removing her pajamas to replace them with a blue and white striped shirt with a light blue skirt and white legging shorts.
"I know." Kari mumbled.
"Are you ready to go to daycare?" Trunks asked, watching Kari as he slipped her sandals on.
"I guess…" Kari mumbled, not wanting to go.
"You'll get to see Towa and Setsuna, and Moroha and Akio." Trunks told Kari, trying to get her to cheer up.
"Yeah." Kari replied with a smile.
"You really like those four, don't you?" Trunks asked, lifting Kari into his arms.
"Yeah… Dare my fwends." Kari answered with a smile.
"I'm glad you have some friends now." Trunks told Kari with a smile.
"Yeah…" Kari replied with a small smile; she was tired.
"Well, let's get going; we're going to be on time today." Trunks proudly told Kari, carrying her to the car.
"Yes, Daddy. On time." Kari repeated, yawning while rubbing her eyes as Trunks placed her in her car seat and buckled her in.
'I was hoping she'd make at least one friend—just one and I'd be happy. But she made four little friends. And they all seem genuine. That makes me so more than happy.' "Just keep proving those bullies wrong, Baby." Trunks thought to himself before telling Kari before kissing her forehead.
"Yes, Daddy." Kari answered, not knowing what was going on as she nodded off to sleep.
With Kagome, Akio, & Moroha:
"Well, come on…" Akio impatiently told his mom and Moroha, walking to the front door.
"Where to?" Kagome asked, confused.
"To daycare." Akio answered, turning back to his mother, giving her a look that read, "you should know that."
"Yeah; we have to get there quickly." Moroha impatiently added, running to the door.
"You two want to go to daycare? Are they sick?" Aya, Kagome's mother, asked, shocked.
"They want to see their new little friend, Kari Briefs. She's a shy little girl, but she seems to get along well with Akio, Moroha, and even Sesshomaru's twins, Towa and Setsuna. I'm so glad they finally have a willing friend, not in the family—especially Akio." Kagome happily told her mother.
"You mean Akio's girlfriend." Moroha teased, making Akio blush.
"She's just my friend!" Akio exclaimed, blushing like crazy, causing Aya to laugh a little.
"Uh-huh… We'll see how long that lasts." Moroha mocked, making a face.
"Ok, that's enough. Come on; let's go." Kagome scolded Moroha—and Akio when she saw he was ready to tackle Moroha.
"Now? It's kind of early, isn't it?" Aya asked, looking at a clock.
"Yes, but we have to stop by Sesshomaru's and pick up Towa and Setsuna. None of us like that Miss Hale, but we have to deal with her. Sesshomaru has stated a few times over the weekend that he wants to rip her head off—and we very well can't have that. No, he wouldn't actually do that." 'I hope.' Kagome explained to her mother before thinking to herself.
"Ok. Have fun. Be safe and careful. And Kagome, take it slow." Aya told Kagome, embarrassing her.
"Yes, Mom; I know… Let's go." Kagome replied before ushering the kids out to the van, embarrassed.
"What did Grandma mean?" Moroha asked as Kagome strapped her into her car seat.
"Nothing, Baby." Kagome replied with a slight smile.
"The faces you're making say you're lying." Moroha pointed out.
"It's not for you to know right now; you're still a little too young." Kagome told Moroha, getting into her seat.
"Well, that's not fair!" Moroha complained as Kagome started driving.
"Mom likes Uncle Sesshomaru—and wants to marry him." Akio stated in a bored tone, causing Kagome to blush.
"Not—another—word…" Kagome warned through gritted teeth.
"Uh-oh… Mom's mad." Akio and Moroha noted before zipping their lips.
With Sesshomaru, Towa, & Setsuna:
"Come on, girls; we have to go—now. I have work so you have daycare." Sesshomaru told Towa and Setsuna.
"But we hate that place; it sucks!" Towa stood up to her father.
"The teachers and most of the kids there are entitled." Setsuna calmly stated, not bothering to put up much of a fight; she knew how this would end.
"I don't care if you hate that place. And yes, while the people there are entitled, it's the only daycare that not's half an hour away. Now, come on. Or if you wish to continue to be defiant, I will play that ridiculous song on full blast all the way to the daycare place. You both know damn well which song I mean." Sesshomaru put his foot down before threatening them.
"Nope. I'm out." Setsuna stated, walking to the door.
"That's a dirty trick." Towa mumbled, following her sister.
"Oh, good morning." Kagome happily greeted.
"Aunt Kagome?" Towa and Setsuna asked, confused.
"What brings you by?" Sesshomaru asked, walking over.
"Oh, you know… I figured I'd pick the twins for you so that you don't "rip that woman's bloody head off." That's what you told me you wanted to do the other day. So, to avoid all that, I decided to take it upon myself to pick the girls up. Akio and Moroha are patiently waiting in the van." Kagome explained with a smile.
"I see that." Sesshomaru replied in a bored tone of voice, pointing past Kagome while Towa and Setsuna stood there, laughing.
Moroha managed to get out of her car seat and was mooning people walking by with their dogs or just walking by.
"Ahh! Moroha! Come on, girls. See you later, Sesshomaru!" Kagome called, running to the van with Towa and Setsuna dying from laughing behind her.
"Don't forget your lunches." Sesshomaru told the girls, handing them their lunch bags before going to his vehicle.
"Moroha, you get your tush back in your seat this instance!" Kagome exclaimed, opening the van door and catching Moroha as she fell backward.
"Are you two ready to see Kari again?" Kagome asked with a smile once the chaos was done and over.
"Oh, yeah. Akio's special friend." Towa spoke up.
"She's not my special friend; she's just my friend!" Akio fussed, embarrassed.
"Uh-huh. At least we have a reason for going to that place. Kari's a good girl." Setsuna dismissed Akio, simply stating.
"Yes, I like Kari as well. She's our first friend who isn't family." Towa added with a smile.
"She's awesome!" Moroha happily exclaimed, kicking her feet around.
Akio just quietly sat there, embarrassed because he did like Kari a lot; he just didn't want to admit it like that.
Fifteen Minutes Later:
"Good morning." Kagome politely greeted Miss Hale—despite not liking her.
"Wow… You're actually on time for once. Where are either Ikashi?" Miss Hale spoke, looking at Akio, Moroha, Towa, and Setsuna before asking Kagome.
"Inuyasha is no longer in the picture and Sesshomaru had to go to work. And yes, we're on time." Kagome answered, narrowing her eyes a little.
"Ah—I see. Maybe being suspended was a blessing in disguise." Miss Hale condescendingly told Kagome.
"Why is Yuki here? He was supposed to be expelled." Akio demanded, noticing Yuki making faces behind Miss Hale.
"Why, Yuki is my top student; he's always here—and always polite and on time." Miss Hale smugly replied.
"Sorry. Sorry. Hello. Good morning." Trunks apologized after bumping into a few people before greeting Miss Hale, Kagome, and the kids.
"Mr. Briefs—so good to see you and Little Kari again." Miss Hale greeted with a smile.
"I'm glad. Please don't call Kari "Little Kari;" she's not a fan of it." Trunks calmly replied, not wanting to snap.
"My apologies. Are we not feeling well?" Miss Hale "apologized" to Trunks before asking, noticing Kari.
"No, she's fine; she just had a rough night and is having some troubles waking up.
"Good morning, Kari Briefs! I wanted to apologizing for trying to kiss you without asking! You're just too cute! I also forgive you for tattling on me! I understand that you were just stressed being new here! You didn't know any better! But don't worry; I'll help you decipher who are the right and wrong people to hang out with! I'm so happy to be friends!" Yuki excitedly yelled at Kari, trying to get her attention and wake her up.
"Such a well-behave, model student." Miss Hale stated with pride.
Oh, Yuki fully woke Kari up alright; however, she was not happy to see him. Instead, she scrunched up, hid her face in Trunks's shoulder, and cried.
"I thought he was expelled." Trunks noted, rubbing Kari's back, trying to soothe her.
"Yuki, expelled? Good heavens, no. Principal Nicket, sir; good morning." Miss Hale replied before noticing the principal.
"Ms. Higurashi and Mr. Briefs—could you please follow me? Please bring Akio, Moroha, Kari, Towa, and Setsuna with as well." Principal Nicket firmly instructed.
"Now, what's going on?" Trunks asked, annoyed as Kari stopped crying.
"I don't know; they haven't been here in a week." Kagome replied, following Principal Nicket with the kids between her and Trunks, making their way to the main office.
"What's going on? I was under the impression that the Yuki kid was expelled last week, so why is he here?" Trunks asked as soon as they were seated.
"Mr. Briefs, please calm down. Mr. and Mrs. Haru are important to this daycare…" "Ok; and?" Principal Nicket started only to be interrupted by Kagome, demanding an answer, especially after being told the kid was expelled.
"They make a great contribution to this daycare; we cannot afford to not have their son here. Please remain calm; I didn't figure you'd be happy with the result. So, with the incident that happened last week, I figured it best if they go into a different daycare class. We have many daycare teachers here; we would like to place Kari, Akio, Moroha, Towa, and Setsuna with Mr. Gage. Now, Mr. Gage has a pretty small class, so I figured they would do better there." Principal Nicket calmly explained.
"I suppose… As long as I have a place for Kari to go—and she's not in the same class or whatever as that Haru kid, I'm fine." Trunks said calmly.
"Fine; it gets my kids, and Sesshomaru's kids out of Miss Hale's hair." Kagome agreed, annoyed.
"You really don't like her, do you?" Trunks asked, looking at Kagome.
"No. All the times that woman claimed these kids were being bad and getting into trouble—it was rarely ever them." Kagome answered.
"Well, sometimes it was." Principal Nicket stated.
"But most of the time, it wasn't." Kagome argued, making her point clear.
"Anyway… The children start in Mr. Gage's class today; he's in room 45. Please head out, and I hope to never have to see any of you in here again." Principal Nicket told them, nervously clearing his throat, sending them all out.
"Daddy—I wan go home." Kari mumbled, leaning against Trunks's shoulder.
"I know you do, but you can't—not for a few hours." Trunks told Kari, rubbing her back.
As much as Trunks wanted to let Kari stay home and sleep, he couldn't; his dad made it perfectly clear he had to be at work today.
Something inside Akio twisted and turned seeing Kari like that; he didn't like seeing her that way.
"Was it really that bad of a night?" Kagome asked, concerned as they walked the halls, looking for Room 45.
"You have no idea. But it's not something I want to talk about around the children." Trunks replied with a sigh.
"Are you the parents of Akio and Moroha Higurashi, Towa and Setsuna Ikashi, and Kari Briefs?" A man behind them called.
"Yeah." Trunks and Kagome replied, stopping to look back.
"Well, I'm Akio and Moroha's mother; I'm actually Towa and Setsuna's aunt." Kagome added, watching as they and the man walked toward each other.
"You are?" Trunks asked, holding Kari close.
"I'm Mr. Gage; your kids are in my class now. You passed right by my room. Sorry; I was standing by the door, watching for you." The man, Mr. Gage, answered.
"Oh…" Trunks and Kagome responded, looking at each other, feeling kind of guilty.
"Don't worry about it; most people pass my class the first two or three times. Here we are." Mr. Gage informed, showing them to his room; it was decent sized—definitely smaller than all the rest.
"How many kids do you have in your class?" Kagome asked, looking around.
"Well, now with Akio, Moroha, Towa, Setsuna, and Kari joining, I have twelve kids ages three and four." Mr. Gage answered.
"It's a smaller class?" Trunks asked, peeking in.
"Yes, it is. Most classes have fifteen to twenty children; I tend to get all the "troublemakers." However, I have to disagree with that statement: these are a good bunch of kids. Good morning, Momo, Sakura." Mr. Gage answered and explained before greeting two girls.
"Hi Mr. Gage." The girls greeted as they went into the classroom.
Both girls had short dark brown hair and brown eyes.
'Great… A class for "troubled" children.' Trunks and Kagome thought to themselves.
"Well it's time to start daycare." Mr. Gage noted with a smile, breaking Trunks and Kagome out of their thoughts.
"Ok. I should warn you: Kari had a rough night and is pretty tired. And she's incredibly shy." Trunks told Mr. Gage.
"Thanks for letting me know. That's no problem; I've had several shy and incredibly shy children come through my daycare classes before. She should be just fine here. If I need anything, I'll have somebody in the office contact you." Mr. Gage informed and promised.
"Ok. Have a good day; I'll be by in a few hours. I promise." Trunks promised Kari.
"Yes, Daddy." Kari sadly replied, giving Trunks a quick hug.
"You four, please behave. No causing trouble and getting kicked out." Kagome told Akio, Moroha, Towa, and Setsuna, hugging each of them.
"Yes," "Mom." "Aunt Kagome." Akio, Moroha, Towa, and Setsuna responded before heading into the classroom.
"Come on, Kari; we'll be with you." Akio told Kari, noticing her standing by the door.
"Ok." Kari softly replied, rubbing her eyes before taking Akio and Moroha's hands.
"Don't worry; Your children will be well taken care of." Mr. Gage told Trunks and Kagome with a smile before entering his room.
"Ok, kiddies; we have a few new students to add to our classroom." Mr. Gage informed with a smile—that seemed to get creepier by the second.
"Yay!" The other kids happily exclaimed.
"Everyone, this is Akio Ikashi and Moroha Higurashi, Towa and Setsuna Ikashi, and Kari Briefs. Will everyone please sit in a circle so we can introduce ourselves? Why don't we start with Momo and Sakura?" Mr. Gage instructed, having everyone sit in a circle.
"My name is Momo; I'm three and I have a twin sister." Momo happily introduced herself.
"My name is Sakura; I'm three and Momo is my twin." Sakura happily introduced herself.
Momo and Sakura were the girls who walked in when Mr. Gage was talking with Kagome and Trunks.
"My name is Haruto; I'm four and I know Akio." A boy with blue hair and green eyes introduced himself.
"My name is Niko; I'm four and I have a twin sister, Nikki." A boy with short light brown hair and eyes calmly introduced himself.
"My name is Nikki; I'm four and Niko is my twin brother." A girl with long light brown hair and brown eyes happily introduced herself.
"I'm Coal; I'm three and I'm an only child." A boy with black hair and red eyes introduced himself with a smile.
"I'm Nina, I'm four, almost five; this is my last year here." A girl with long purple hair and red eyes introduced herself, not really caring; she didn't want to be there as much as the next kid—and you could tell.
…
"Akio, it's your turn to share." Mr. Gage calmly but firmly told Akio.
"My name is Akio; I'm four. Moroha is my younger sister, Towa and Setsuna are my cousins, and Kari is my best friend." Akio introduced himself.
"The name's Moroha, and I'm three-years-old! Akio is my older brother, and Towa and Setsuna are my cousins/best friends! And Kari there is my newest bestest friend!" Moroha happily exclaimed, standing up and pointing to everyone she talked about.
"Hey, I'm Towa; I'm three and Setsuna is my twin. As Akio and Moroha told you: they are my cousins. Kari is a new best friend." Towa calmly introduced herself.
"I'm Setsuna and I'm three. You already know my sister and cousins. Yes, Kari is a new best friend; she's kind of like a younger sister, so if anyone hurts her, I'll hurt them." Setsuna simply introduced herself before strictly warning everyone in the room who she didn't know.
"Kari? Kari, Sweetie; you need to wake up and introduce yourself." Mr. Gage calmly told Kari, shaking her a little; she was looking down, half asleep, fiddling with her fingers.
"My name is Kari. I am three… Akio an Moha an Towa an Sesuna are my only friends." Kari shyly spoke, half asleep. She wanted so badly to lean against Akio, but she was placed between Setsuna and Mr. Gage.
"Very good, everyone. I don't know about changing who your best friends are, but you will make more friends this year. That is the goal at least." Mr. Gage told everyone with a smile.
Four Hours Later:
It was finally nap time, and Kari couldn't wait as she found a mat to lay on.
Mr. Gage had been keeping a close eye on her and made sure she stayed awake. However, he started to make her and the others feel uncomfortable—especially when he pulled her aside.
"Don't worry, Sweetie; you'll be able to sleep in a few minutes. I just want to talk to you for a second. Your daddy said you had a rough night last night. Why is that?" Mr. Gage told Kari before asking, holding, and rubbing her hips.
"B-b-bad d-d-deams." Kari answered, ready to cry.
"I'm sorry. Do you have bad dreams often?" Mr. Gage asked, moving his hands around to her lower back.
"No." Kari answered.
"Keep your damn hands to yourself, you damn pervert!" Setsuna exclaimed, kicking Mr. Gage in the shin while Towa sent Kari with Moroha.
The setup was girls on one side and boys on the other.
"Excuse me? What did you just say to me?! You're going to get into so much trouble. Just wait until the principal and your parents hear about this? However, if you calmed down a little, we could talk and sort this all out in a jiffy." Mr. Gage snapped but quickly calmed down, trying to get a hold of Setsuna.
"Towa, keep Akio back. And you: keep your filthy hands off of me—and any little child or I swear to God, that'll be the last thing you ever do because I'll personally cut them off. If I had to guess, Mr. Nicket is either in your back pocket—or your in his. And yes, let's tell our parents about this incident. Towa and my dad works at a gym, training people in the art of sword fighting. Kari's father also works at that same gym, working with people to become stronger. And despite not being a fighter, Akio and Moroha's mother is trained in archery. Whether or not, you get the principal and whoever else on your side, how well do you think it'll go when we tell our parents the truth? Unfortunately for you, we don't lie to our parents—and even if we did, they'd know right away. I PROMISE you: my family isn't like any other family you may have met and been able to silence. My family will slice you down in a heartbeat and not even think about it; my father will literally rip your guts out of your throat—or worse. My family will make it so you're begging for the police to take you away—and into protective custody. Do you understand me, you good-for-nothing, lower than dirt, piece of shit?" Setsuna dangerously warned Mr. Gage, whispering most of it in his ears so that the other children couldn't hear. She put the fear of God in Mr. Gage, who went paler than a bedsheet; he even pissed himself.
"Y-y-yes." Mr. Gage answered, backing away from her.
"Good. Stay away from Kari and any other child (girl or boy) or I will rip your balls and dick off in one setting." Setsuna continued to threaten before walking away.
"It's ok, Kari; you don't have to worry about that man anymore. He won't hurt you ever again. Just lie down and sleep for a while." Setsuna kindly told Kari.
"Tank you, Sesuna." Kari softly thanked, looking at Setsuna.
However, as soon as they went to lie down for a nap, an alarm went off, indicating a fire.
"Ok. It's ok. Form a single file line and follow me outside!" Mr. Gage instructed, having the children line up and follow him outside.
Indeed, there was a decent-sized fire: it took all of Nap time and part of another half hour to put it out.
Principal Nicket told everyone not to worry; he'd inform all the parents. Don't say anything to freak anyone out.
Kari had been sitting in a corner, trying to use an inhaler, when Mr. Gage pointed her out to Principal Nicket, telling him he suspected drug use.
The inhaler was taken right then and there.
It didn't take Akio or the others long to figure out something was wrong when they heard Kari's constant wheezing. However, they didn't know what—or how to help.
With Trunks & Sesshomaru:
Half-Hour Break:
"You're telling me that at eighteen, you don't think about dating—especially with all those giggling girls?" Sesshomaru asked, watching Trunks as a bunch of girls walked past the gym, giggling after watching Trunks for over ten minutes.
"I have, but Kari is still so young; I don't want to bring someone new in that sense into her life yet—especially if we don't work out. Also, I don't want someone who's going to do nothing but giggle—or take time away from Kari. If it should happen that I meet someone, they have to understand that Kari comes first." Trunks sternly answered.
"Good. I am the same with Towa and Setsuna. I, at least know, Kagome is good with them both and doesn't take time away from them. And she's the same with her children: Akio and Moroha. That stupid idiot doesn't know what he lost." Sesshomaru responded.
"At least you're not taking it out on the kids. I'm not saying you ever would, but I know and have seen people who do; they push the children away to be close to their parent." Trunks stated, watching Sesshomaru.
"It's not their faults. That's one of the things I learned from our father: the kids always come first." Sesshomaru stoically stated.
"Do any of the kids see any of your parents much?" Trunks asked, referring to Sesshomaru and Inuyasha's and Kagome's parents.
"Father's dead and my mother will never be allowed near Towa, Setsuna, Akio, or Moroha; she will kill them. Inuyasha's mother is also dead, but she probably would've loved seeing them as much as she could. Kagome's mom sees them every other day; she sees me, Towa, and Setsuna from time to time. She wasn't thrilled that Inuyasha got Kagome pregnant when she was a teenager—and then again so shortly after she gave birth the first time. But I know she loves Kagome, Akio, and Moroha more than anything She even seems to really like my girls. I've met her a few times, and she seems to like me, but I'm not a hundred percent sure." Sesshomaru answered Trunks's question; he felt a weird connection with Trunks that he couldn't explain. It's like when he's around Kagome alone: he can't seem to stop talking. For the most part, he knows he loves Kagome, and that's why for her. But with Trunks—maybe it's because they both only have daughters; Sesshomaru honestly didn't know.
"That's great; at least you all have someone. My parents both love Kari more than anything—with the exception of my sister and me. My mom still dotes on me, but my dad—well, he looks at me differently; he just sees me a screw up. But at least he loves Kari; that's all that matters to me." Trunks replied, unaware that Vegeta was listening in on them.
"Trunks, can I talk to you before your client gets here?" Vegeta requested, not giving Trunks a choice.
"I'm coming." Trunks obeyed, following Vegeta to the main office.
"What is it?" Trunks asked after a few minutes of awkwardness.
"You really think I think you're a screw up?" Vegeta asked, standing there with his arms crossed, demanding an answer.
"You certainly treat me as such. Ever since I brought Kari home, you always give me looks, and say how lucky I was that you love her so much." Trunks answered, watching his father.
"Jesus, Boy. I don't think you're a screw up—an idiot, yes, but you're not a screw up. I love you, Bulla, and Kari more than anything—except your mother. You three and your mother are the most important people in my life. I think you made a stupid mistake with that whore, but I love that little girl more than life itself—and I will do anything to protect her. You're an idiot, but you're not a screw up—and I love you very much." Vegeta firmly told Trunks, making it clear he loved his family.
"I love you too, dad; I just wish you'd stop giving me the cold shoulder in front of Kari. She's starting to ask questions, you know? She's already heard people say she's nothing but a mistake; I don't want her questioning if you think that as well. She loves you and Mom so much. The last thing we need is for her to think or believe you don't love her back. I know you do, but eventually, if you keep glaring at me, she will start to wonder." Trunks told Vegeta, causing him to think about his actions these past three years.
"I apologize and I'll figure something out." Vegeta apologized and then promised.
"I usually just tell her you're cranky." Trunks told Vegeta, figuratively speaking, causing those dark blue lines in the black smoke to appear above Vegeta's head.
"Gee, thanks. Anything else?" Vegeta asked, watching Trunks.
"I want you to stop swearing so much around Kari." Trunks firmly answered.
"I'll do my best to try." Vegeta replied, rolling his eyes.
"I guess that's better than nothing. Oh, speaking of which: you owe Kari $43.00 for all the swearing from the other night." Trunks gave up before letting Vegeta know.
"That's going to be one rich child…" Vegeta sighed as Trunks left the office.
"Why is Kari a rich child?" Sesshomaru asked, walking out of the bathroom.
"We give Kari money if we swear around her. $1.00 for "damn," or any variation of "damn." $2.00 for "shit." And $5.00 for "fuck," or any variation of "fuck." Other words she may hear us say, we figure out at the time. She makes a lot of money from Dad—unfortunately. I try not to swear around her, but every now and then something slips out. Of course, once she reaches a certain age, she'll stop getting money for us swearing. And I'm sure because of Dad, she'll pick it up quickly." Trunks answered, sighing a little as he explained everything.
"That sounds crazy; I'd be broke if I did that. But hey, whatever works for you. My client's in; have to get to work." Sesshomaru replied as some guy walked in.
"Yeah, my client's here as well." Trunks noted as an older woman walked in behind the man.
They went their separate ways until it was time to pick up the girls and Akio.
However, that would come sooner than they planned.
Five Hours Later:
"Trunks, that Kagome is calling for you; she sounds frantic and refuses to talk to anyone but you!" Vegeta called Trunks, getting Sesshomaru's attention as well.
"Ok…? Hello? Kagome?" Trunks asked, confused.
"Trunks?" Kagome asked on her end, sounding like she'd been crying.
"Yeah, it's me. Sesshomaru's here as well; do you want to talk to him?" Trunks replied and then asked.
"No, I need to talk to you. I'm so sorry!" Kagome cried over the phone; Trunks physically had to pull the phone away from his ear.
"Calm down. What's going on?" Trunks asked as Sesshomaru walked over.
"I went to get all the kids—including Kari like you asked." Kagome started explaining.
Flashback:
About An Hour Ago:
At Daycare:
"Hello. I'm here for Akio, Moroha, Towa, Setsuna, and Kari; Trunks and Sesshomaru called to say I'd be picking up their daughters as well." Kagome spoke with Mr. Gage.
"Yes, of course. Akio, Moroha, Kari, Towa, and Setsuna; time to go home!" Mr. Gage called.
"Where's Daddy?" Kari asked, confused, coughing a little.
"He, and Towa and Setsuna's dad had to work late today; they asked that I pick you all up today. I hope that's ok. He'll just pick you up at my, Akio, and Moroha's home today." Kagome calmly explained, becoming concerned by Kari's constant coughing.
"Ok." Kari softly replied, walking out with Kagome and the others.
Fifteen Minutes Later:
"Kari, Sweetie; can you come with me really quick?" Kagome asked, listening as Kari's coughing continued.
"What's going on?" Akio asked right away.
"I want Kari to drink some water. We'll have to talk to her dad and let him know. Do you know how long you've coughing like this?" Kagome answered and then asked Kari, handing her a sippy cup of water.
Kari shook her head.
"A few hours." Setsuna and Towa told Kagome.
"Ok. Maybe you're coming down with a cold or something. Akio and Moroha, why don't you show Kari your room? Maybe lie down for a little bit and take a nap." Kagome suggested once they got home.
"Ok. Come on." Akio obeyed his mother, took Kari's hand, and lead her to his room.
"No door?" Kari asked, confused, coughing again.
"No… My dad took it down." Akio answered, showing her around.
"Why?" Kari asked, confused as she started slowing down.
"Because I mouthed off to him." Akio admitted calmly.
"Oh." Kari softly spoke, holding her head as her world started spinning.
"Kari?" Towa asked, concerned.
And just like that, Kari collapsed, holding her chest, wheezing and gasping for air.
"Kari! Moroha go get Mom!" Akio yelled, kneeling next to Kari, trying to keep her from being in a position that would make it even harder for her to breathe.
"Mommy! Mommy! Something's wrong with Kari! She held her head and then fell over! She's making weird noises!" Moroha cried, running to Kagome, who was cutting up some carrots.
"What?! Watch out! Come with me!" Kagome exclaimed, dropping the knife on the counter before running to Akio's room. She didn't have to ask who's room they were in; she could hear Akio, Towa, and Setsuna.
"Oh, my God! Let me see her." Kagome panicked when she first saw Kari before composing herself and lifting Kari. She carefully placed her on the floor and started doing CPR.
After a few seconds, Kagome got Kari breathing somewhat normally before getting up to call an ambulance.
'Smoke? Why does she smell so strongly of smoke?' Kagome asked herself, keeping an eye on Kari while waiting for an ambulance to arrive.
"Da-Daddy!" Kari cried, scared.
Current Time:
"What?! What happened?!" Trunks demanded, panicked, getting Vegeta's attention; he hadn't seen Trunks like that in over a year. Last time it had to do with Kari.
"I don't know! I'm so sorry! I didn't know what else to do, so I called for an ambulance. Because I'm not her mother or have special permission or anything, they wouldn't let me go with her. And they won't let any of us back with her now. They won't tell me anything. I don't know what happened! I tried your and Sesshomaru's cell phones, but neither of you answered! I didn't know the gym's number, so I had to look it up in the phone book. I'm so sorry!" Kagome cried over the phone.
"Ok. Calm down. Us freaking out won't do anything to help her. You stayed with her until an ambulance came. Thank you for that. Did she use her inhaler to try to help her at all?" Trunks calmly told Kagome before asking.
"Inhaler? What inhaler? I didn't see any type of inhaler on her anywhere. She didn't have a backpack of any type on her." Kagome replied.
"Damnit. What hospital is she at?" Trunks asked, running his hand through his hair.
"Mercy Medical Children Hospital." Kagome answered, upset.
"Ok. I'll be there as soon as I can. Thank you. See you soon. Bye." Trunks replied before hanging up.
"What's going on?" Vegeta and Sesshomaru asked once Trunks hung up.
"I don't know. All I know is that Kari's in the hospital after collapsing at Kagome's. She did some CPR and called for an ambulance, but they won't tell her anything. Let Mom and Bulla know; I have to go." Trunks answered before instructing and leaving.
Fifteen Minutes Later:
Due to traffic, it took longer for Trunks and Sesshomaru (who was following Trunks) to get to the hospital.
"Can I help you?" A receptionist asked, looking at Trunks while Sesshomaru located Kagome and the kids.
"My name is Trunks Briefs; my daughter, Kari Briefs was brought in a little bit ago. She collapsed and was having breathing problems. Her birthday is October 5th, 2005. Her mother isn't in her life; she's in prison." Trunks answered, giving information.
"Ok. Yes. Please have a seat in the waiting area, and a doctor will be out soon." The receptionist calmly told a very panicked Trunks.
"Trunks—I'm…" "Don't apologize again. You have nothing to apologize for; you did everything right. I just wish I knew what was going on." Kagome started but was stopped by Trunks.
"What happened anyway?" Sesshomaru asked, watching Kagome.
"I don't know. I picked them up and she was coughing—and it didn't stop. It didn't sound like it was getting any worse, so I thought it was just a cold or something; it was just a steady cough, so I gave her some water. After that, I told Akio and Moroha to show her to one of their rooms so she could lie down and take a nap or something." Kagome answered.
"Don't they have naps at that daycare?" Sesshomaru asked, annoyed.
"It was canceled." Akio informed, walking out.
"What do you mean it was canceled?" Kagome asked as she, Trunks, and Sesshomaru stared at Akio, Moroha, Towa, and Setsuna.
"Mr. Briefs?" An older female doctor calmly asked, walking over.
"Yes. How is Kari?" Trunks asked right away.
"I'm Dr. Hana; it's nice to meet you. First off: tell me, does Kari suffer from asthma?" Dr. Hana asked.
"Asthma. I wasn't there because her mother is in prison, but from what I understand; Kari was born early—and her lungs were underdeveloped or something like that. She also has anxiety." Trunks answered.
"Ah. I thought so. She's never been to this hospital or any of our other hospitals, so we don't have any of her information. Now, to answer your question—and just so you know, Kari is one extremely lucky little girl. You should thank whoever did CPR on her, because had they not, Kari would most likely be either in a coma or quite possibly dead. Between the good air that went into her body, and the chest compressions, a good chunk of the smoke inhalation was forced out. With that said, you should probably find the person who did CPR because there's a possibility that the smoke transferred from Kari to said person." Dr. Hana started explaining.
"Smoke inhalation? Where on Earth could she get into smoke inhalation that severe?" Trunks asked, annoyed.
"There was a fire and nap time was canceled." Moroha spoke up.
"Excuse me?!" Kagome and Sesshomaru exclaimed, pissed off; Trunks was in too much shock to speak.
"You didn't know? Principal Nicket said he was going to contact all the parents, so they knew." Akio and Towa stated.
"I'm pulling Kari from that place. How could they not contact me?" Trunks asked, pissed off.
"Mr. Briefs, please calm down. I understand that this is horrible news, but I need you to focus. Do you know who preformed CPR on your daughter?" Dr. Hana told Trunks before asking him.
"I did that. My name is Kagome Higurashi." Kagome answered right away.
"Ok. I want you to get checked for smoke inhalation. Are any of these children yours?" Dr. Hana stated and then asked.
"Yes. Akio and Moroha." Kagome answered.
"And those two?" Dr. Hana asked, looking at Towa and Setsuna.
"Mine." Sesshomaru plainly answered.
"Ok. I want them checked as well. And then, someone needs to find out who all the other children and adults at the daycare are and have them checked as well. Ms. Higurashi, I don't know how you did CPR on Kari and not break any of her rips with how tiny she is. That being said, they are a little bruised." Dr. Hana explained.
"I'm so sorry, Trunks." Kagome apologized again.
"No need to apologize. You saved her life—and none of her ribs are broken. All that matters is that she's alive." Trunks firmly told Kagome.
"For being so young, you seem like a genuinely caring, loving father." Dr. Hana stated, watching Trunks.
"I love Kari more than anything in this entire universe. What are you getting at?" Trunks replied before asking.
"Your daughter seems very skittish and shy—especially around men. Unfortunately, she needed to be sedated because she was having such a tantrum when we tried changing her into a hospital gown. That's when I was called in. When I was finally able to get her out of her regular clothes, I noticed she had two decent-sized bruises on her hips—and some scratches up and down her sides…" "Excuse me? What happened at that daycare? Because she sure as hell didn't have any bruises or scratches this morning before I took her in." Dr. Hana started only to be interrupted by Trunks.
"That was Mr. Gage." Setsuna plainly answered.
"What?" Trunks asked, turning his attention to Setsuna—along with everyone else.
"It was nap time—before the alarm went off. Mr. Gage called Kari over to talk; I couldn't quite hear what he was asking or what she was saying, but I could tell she wasn't comfortable—especially when he put his hands on her. She went ridged and wouldn't move as Mr. Gage grabbed and held onto her hips; I saw her flinch. Then he started moving his hands all over, so I stepped in. Moroha took her to the mats on the girl's side while Towa held Akio back. And then I threatened him; he backed off pretty quickly. Oh, and Principal Nicket knows as well. I do not know if he's part of it or not, but he knows what Mr. Gage does." Setsuna explained.
"Smart kid. I've never met a child under six who could pronounce all that she explained correctly. But either way, we'll send some police to the daycare, and they can look into everything." Dr. Hana explained with a frustrated sigh.
"Not again…" Trunks mumbled, getting everyone's attention.
"Not again? Has Kari been molested before?" Dr. Hana asked, watching Trunks.
"Unfortunately. It was a family friend last year some time. Because of that, Kari has a hard time trusting men. Actually, she's afraid of most men; she's afraid it'll happen again. For four months—about nine months ago, she didn't even trust my dad. Do you know how long it took to get his trust back? I was so surprised when she wanted to be friends with Akio because he's a boy; she's been bullied her entire three years of life—mainly by adults because I'm a teen father who got his teacher pregnant. Long, personal story. I was stupid and fell for her tricks; we'll leave it at that. But because adults bullied her, kids started as well—most of them boys. Yes, there were girl bullies as well, but it was the boys she fears. Her previous therapist said she probably believes that they will hurt her like our family friend hurt her. I didn't want this to happen to her again, but at this time… This is the worst time for it to happen because I just got her trusting people we know—and she has some friends. Now, because of this, she might spiral down. All that work." Trunks answered and went on to explain.
"Mr. Briefs, children are pretty resilient; they tend to bounce back quickly. I'm sure she'll be fine. Right now, she's on an oxygen tank and has an IV in to keep her hydrated. She should be able to go home in a few hours. Oh, I have to be going; I have other patients to attend to. I'll have a nurse come get you so you can see your daughter. And someone will be out to get the rest of you for testing." Nurse Hana explained before leaving.
"You don't know Kari; she's not a normal child… Do any of you know what happened to her inhaler?" Trunks mumbled before asking Akio, Moroha, Towa, and Setsuna.
"She has an inhaler?" Akio asked, confused.
"An inhale-what?" Moroha asked, confused.
"Something to help a person breathe." Setsuna stated.
"I never saw her use one. I didn't even know she had one." Towa spoke up.
"Ok… I have to figure that out before I go back to that daycare to talk to that principal and Mr. Gage. Then I need to find a new sitter. Heaven knows she won't want to ever set foot in another daycare…" Trunks mumbled to himself, rubbing his brow.
"I think I'm going to pull Akio and Moroha as well." Kagome informed, sitting in a chair.
"Who will watch them?" Sesshomaru asked, watching Kagome.
"Well, I have no job or life; I'll watch them. Might as well. I mean, I am a stay-at-home-mom—since day one. I can watch the twins—and Kari as well. If you two would like. I'm cheaper than that place—or any daycare by far. And I'm sure the kids would really like that." Kagome firmly answered, looking from Sesshomaru to Trunks.
"Fine by me. At least I know the girls will be taken care of." Sesshomaru stoically stated.
"Are you sure?" Trunks asked, looking at Kagome, shocked.
"Of course. Kari's such a sweet little girl. It may take some time, but she trusted our kids before; she can trust them again. Plus, I don't think Akio, Moroha, Towa, or Setsuna wanna lose their new friend; they really do like her. I understand if you don't want me to watch her, but I'm always available." Kagome calmly yet seriously told Trunks.
"I'll talk to Kari; I don't want her to lose her friends." Trunks replied with a small smile.
"Mr. Briefs?" A nurse called from the side.
"See you later." Kagome told Trunks before he went with the nurse.
"This is her room." The nurse told Trunks, letting him into a room.
"Thank you." Trunks thanked the nurse before going into the room.
Kari was barely awake, but she heard Trunks walk in.
"Daddy?" Kari weakly asked, looking over at Trunks.
"Hi baby. Are you feeling any better?" Trunks asked, sitting next to her.
"It hurts brief…" Kari wheezed, tears ready to fall.
"I know. I heard what happened at daycare today—that there was a fire—and that your teacher hurt you." Trunks slowly told Kari, holding her hand and gently rubbing her forehead.
"I sowee." Kari apologized.
"Baby, it's not your fault. Just like last time; it's not your fault. Just like that other man, Mr. Gage is a bad man who is sick in the head. Baby, everything is going to be ok. I need to ask, what happened to your inhaler?" Trunks firmly told Kari before asking.
"Pincepal man took it." Kari breathed.
"Why?" Trunks asked, lightly squeezing Kari's hand.
"Some-someting bout drugs." Kari weakly answered.
"Ok. Well, I'm just going to have to talk to that man, now, won't I? But now we have to have a serious talk. You know I have to work for Grandpa. And you know you can't come with all the time—and you can't stay home alone." Trunks started calmly speaking.
"I know. But—I no wan go back to da daycare." Kari told Trunks, tears ready to fall.
"I know you don't, Baby. And you won't ever have to go back to that place ever again. However, you do need to have someone watch you. You have three options. I can find you another daycare. I can look in the papers or online and find you a random babysitter. Or Ms. Kagome offered to watch you while I'm at work." Trunks told Kari, watching her.
"Ms. Gome?" Kari asked, confused.
"Akio and Moroha's mom. She's also Towa and Setsuna's aunt." Trunks answered.
"Akio and Moha? Towa and Sesuna? Sesuna kick Mr. Gage in the leg an call him a perbert. Towa taked me to Moha an den wen ober to Akio. Akio was berry mad." Kari told Trunks, remembering earlier.
"Yeah? You have some really good friends, don't you?" Trunks asked, watching Kari.
"Yeah… Daddy I is tired." Kari told Trunks, drifting in and out.
"Sleep. Later you'll get to go home. I'll tell Ms. Kagome you want her to watch you?" Trunks told Kari before asking.
"K." Kari replied, falling asleep.
Knock. Knock.
"Yeah?" Trunks called, not looking away from Kari.
"Hey." Kagome quietly spoke, peeking in.
"You can come in if you wish." Trunks invited Kagome, Sesshomaru, and the kids into the room.
"How is she?" Kagome asked, concerned.
"Tired. And right now, it hurts her to breathe. But Dr. Hana seems sure she'll be able to go home in a few hours. How are all of you?" Trunks answered and then asked.
"We're all fine. Because I'm an adult, the little smoke that she would've coughed into my mouth, had no effect. Akio and Setsuna are both just fine. Moroha and Towa had some smoke in their lungs, but nothing serious; they were both given temporary inhalers." Kagome answered.
"Did you ever figure out what happened to Kari's inhaler thing?" Moroha asked, looking up at Trunks.
"She said the principal took it from her, saying something about drugs. She doesn't understand it, but I'm assuming he was accusing her of doing drugs. Which I find funny because Kari doesn't know what drugs are; I haven't gotten around to that yet—because, you know; she's three." Trunks answered.
"Did you get to ask her if she wanted Mom to watch her?" Akio asked, worry written all over his face.
"Does she still want to be our friends?" Towa asked, watching Trunks along with Setsuna, Moroha, and Akio.
"I…" "Where is she?! Where is my little baby girl?!" Trunks started only to be interrupted by his mother.
"Ma'am, please calm down. We need to know who you're talking about." A nurse was heard saying as Trunks stood up.
"I have this. Mom! Dad. In here." Trunks calmly told the nurse before scolding his mother.
"Oh, my God! What happened?! My sweet little baby!" Bulma spazzed as soon as they saw Kari.
"She'll be fine, Mom. She just has some nasty smoke inhalation from a fire that happened at the daycare. No; I knew nothing about it because nobody called me. Mom, this is Kagome; she's the reason Kari is alive now. Kagome, this is my mother, Bulma." Trunks told his mother before introducing Kagome and Bulma.
"Thank you so much!" Bulma exclaimed before attacking Kagome in a hug.
"She will also be watching Kari while I'm at work." Trunks quickly told his mother.
"What?" Kagome asked, confused.
"Well—I'm not sending her back to that daycare. Suspended her first day for defending herself, this fire and not being told about it. The principal taking her inhaler, claiming she's on drugs, among other things that I'll fill you in later. Kagome offered to watch Kari along with her kids and nieces. I asked Kari, and she seemed to take to the idea. Mom—you know why I don't leave her with you. I love you, but I'm not going through that again." Trunks firmly told his mother.
"Fine…" Bulma mumbled, going to hold Kari's hand.
"Mom—these are Kagome's kids, Akio and Moroha. And these are her nieces, Towa and Setsuna; Sesshomaru, there is their father. Sesshomaru works for Dad as well. These four are Kari's friends—who, yes; Kari still wants as friends." Trunks introduced his mother to Kari's friends.
"They're so cute. Yay! Kari's first little friends!" Bulma happily exclaimed, taking a picture.
"Mom…" Trunks groaned.
"So what is this other thing that happened at daycare that you're not taking her back there for?" Vegeta asked, looking at Trunks.
"I'll tell you later tonight. No way in hell I'm telling you here—in a hospital—or any public place. The last thing we need is for you to get arrested." Trunks told Vegeta.
"Trunks?" Bulma asked, concerned.
"I'll tell you later tonight; I promise. For now, I'm going to that daycare and talking to that principal. I do not care who, but could somebody please stay here so that if she wakes up, she's not alone—and explain where I am." Trunks told Bulma and everyone in the room before leaving.
"I'm going with." Sesshomaru insisted, putting his foot down, not taking "no" for an answer.
Fifteen Minutes Later:
"Sirs, you can't go in there." A female nervously tried stopping Trunks and Sesshomaru.
"It's fine, Cici. Mr. Briefs, Mr. Ikashi; how may I help you?" Principal Nicket calmly told the woman before asking Trunks and Sesshomaru.
"Where is my daughter's inhaler?" Trunks demanded.
"And why weren't we told about the fire you had here?" Sesshomaru asked, pissed off.
"Here." Principal Nicket nervously handed Trunks the inhaler; he felt cold chills.
"Why would you take this from her; she as asthma and could've died! And because of the fire that I wasn't informed on, she nearly did die! She's not using this for drugs; she doesn't even know what drugs are!" Trunks exclaimed, beyond pissed off.
"It's procedure." Principal Nicket replied, backing away a little.
"Procedure? Is it also procedure to allow a pedophile to work in a place where there are God only knows how many children? Is it also procedure to allow said pedophile to be in charge of children? Finally: is it procedure to all said pedophile to touch and do whatever he pleases to a child?" Sesshomaru demanded, slamming his fist on the desk.
"The girls and Akio told us everything. So did a doctor. Said doctor told me that Kari had bruises on her hips and scratches up and down her sides. DON'T you dare try to call my daughter or any of those children a liar. We saw the fire damage when we got here. And I called the firehouse and asked them about it. I understand you have a lot of children here, but it doesn't take four or five hours to let all parents know there was a fire. Just so you know, police are going to start an investigation. Bruises and scratches. My three-year-old daughter has bruises on her lower hips and scratches up and down her sides! Not only am I'm pulling Kari out of this place; I'll also see you in court." Trunks angrily told Principal Nicket before walking away; Sesshomaru followed along before he did something he'd regret.
"Those little bitches!" Mr. Gage yelled as police forcibly dragged him out of the daycare.
"You are so lucky the police have you." Sesshomaru quietly growled so that only Mr. Gage could hear, causing him to go sheet pale as Sesshomaru and Trunks walked out…